Racing Against Time: Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet Receive Crucial Directive from Deputy Prime Minister for Long Thanh Airport Project

On September 7, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, head of the Long Thanh International Airport Project task force, inspected the progress and worked with the Ministry of Construction, the Project Management Unit, investors, contractors, and relevant ministries at the construction site.

At the site, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha emphasized that the progress of Long Thanh Airport depends not only on the internal items but also on the connecting transport infrastructure.

Therefore, the Ministry of Construction, Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai province, and relevant agencies must expedite the progress of infrastructure projects, including Ho Chi Minh City Ring Road 3, the expanded Ho Chi Minh City-Long Thanh expressway, and the connection routes carried out by the Vietnam Expressway Corporation (VEC) and the Ministry of Construction. All of these projects have been committed by the Prime Minister and local authorities to be completed before the operation of Long Thanh Airport.

The Deputy Prime Minister stressed that the units in charge must commit to completing the items and works that will definitely be finished before December 19, ensuring quality, aesthetics, and environmental protection. In case of any difficulties related to coordination between parties, whether under the authority of local or central governments, they must report directly for immediate handling.

At the meeting, a representative of Vietnam Airlines reported on the progress of three projects assigned by the Government, including the first aircraft maintenance hangar (hangar), the catering area, and the ground service commercial cluster. These projects are currently on track, and Vietnam Airlines committed to basically completing them before December 19.

The representative of Vietnam Airlines expressed their hope to soon receive the land handover for the catering area to ensure timely construction and for the Construction Department of Dong Nai to promptly approve the design dossier for the aircraft maintenance hangar and ground services.

Regarding the second cargo terminal package, Vietnam Airlines shared that the dossier is being prepared and expected to be submitted to the Aviation Authority on September 8 for implementation. For this package, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha emphasized the need for swift completion of procedures, and if Vietnam Airlines delays, consideration will be given to assigning it to another unit to ensure efficiency. The Deputy Prime Minister also requested the Ministry of Construction to clarify the responsibilities of the Aviation Authority and Vietnam Airlines in project approval and implementation.

Mr. Vu Pham Nguyen Tung, Project Development Director of Vietjet Air, affirmed the determination to complete the wide-body aircraft hangar before December 19. This is one of the critical items to ensure the airport’s operation as scheduled, serving airlines, including Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet, and other airlines in the future.

At the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister requested that Vietjet must complete the work as scheduled, not just “basically complete,” and any delays must be reported directly to the Prime Minister. The Ministry of Construction and relevant agencies need to define responsibilities in approving, signing contracts, and monitoring progress.

On behalf of the Ministry of Construction, Deputy Minister Pham Minh Ha informed that major difficulties and obstacles of the project have been addressed. The ministry will continue to coordinate closely with ACV, the Aviation Authority, Vietnam Airlines, and relevant units to monitor, evaluate progress, and promptly handle any issues, while also complying with legal regulations and the Prime Minister’s directions to ensure the project’s completion as planned, safely, and effectively.